European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

ISSN: 1018-8827 (printed version)
ISSN: 1435-165X (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 11 Issue 5 (2002) pp 210-218
DOI 10.1007/s00787-002-0279-x

original communication: Repetitive behaviors in autistic disorder

Roberto Militerni (1), Carmela Bravaccio (1), Carmelinda Falco (1), Cinzia Fico (1), Mark T. Palermo (2)
 

(1) The Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
(2) Centro Sperimentale per l'Autismo "Anni Verdi", Via Arturo Colautti 28, 00152 Roma, Italy. marktpalermo@virgilio.it
 

Accepted: 28 August 2002

Abstract. Introduction: Repetitive behaviors are common in autistic disorder, as in other developmental disabilities. Behaviors as diverse as stereotypies, cognitive inflexibility, and a need for sameness are grouped together under DSM IV classification, even though they are diverse in phenomenology, underlying neural circuitry, and possible clinical significance. In order to better define repetitive behaviors, we studied the relationship between such behaviors and chronological age, developmental level, estimated IQ, presumed mood state, severity of illness, as well as behavior reactivity to environmental stimuli, in a group of 121 consecutive autistic children, aged 2-4 and 7-11 years. Results: Younger autistic children displayed more motor and sensory repetitive behaviors. Older children had more complex behaviors. Children with higher IQ scores, likewise, demonstrated more complex repetitive behaviors. Most motor behaviors and self injury showed features of reactivity. Conclusions: Certain "repetitive" activities may not represent core features of autistic disorder and may be equivalent to normal motor and cognitive behaviors, as seen during typical development.

Key words autism - stereotypies - repetitive behaviours - CARS

Article in PDF format (246 KB)

Online publication: December 5, 2002
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